Awards Jabber

I’ll be doing my fourth annual Oscar party at the Motif Hotel’s Frolik Bar, and if you need a party to crash or care to see how I can lose my mind (a Glenn Close win will make me likely… Continue Reading →

This is one of the most difficult reactions to a film I’ve ever experienced. I’ve been shocked. I’ve been grossed out. I’ve been put the sleep. Documentarian Talal Derki gained entrance into a jihadist family’s inner works for as long… Continue Reading →

It’s really good I’m already awake at 5am most days or Oscar nomination morning would feel like an insult to the most wonderful of all activities: sleep. This year was the usual combination of gross-great, opening strong, falling fast to… Continue Reading →

Ugh, predicting something disappointing is a mildly cruel fate, but I do this to myself, like predicting Christmas presents from relatives who don’t know you well. The predictions, for proof of how wrong I always am, so let’s see if… Continue Reading →

The behind the scenes portions can make a movie stellar from a woodwind that can make you weep to costumes who introduce you to the character underneath, here are the names you don’t hear very often but are sometimes the… Continue Reading →

Best Documentary This was a stellar year for documentary features. The box office and critics were roaring, and the top five for me were a mix of hits and under-the-wire features: Hale County This Morning This Evening MATANGI/MAYA/MIA Minding the… Continue Reading →

Best Director Nailing down best the best direction in a film, rather than stellar writing or acting carrying a film to notoriety, is a challenging endeavor. You must see the hand, and never know you’ve been touched. The film is… Continue Reading →

There’s little I like better than actress, and I guess actors are an occasionally enjoyable crowd. This year was a struggle to whittle down to a tidy five, but here it goes!!: Best Leading Actress Toni Collette (Hereditary) Olivia Colman… Continue Reading →